PUNT TEAM MISTAKE FOR 2ND STRAIGHT WEEK STINGS

Linebacker Gachkar claims responsibility for blocked punt

This is a 2012 photo of Mike Scifres of the San Diego Chargers NFL football team. This image reflects the San Diego Chargers active roster as of Friday, May 11, 2012 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

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This is a 2012 photo of Mike Scifres of the San Diego Chargers NFL football team. This image reflects the San Diego Chargers active roster as of Friday, May 11, 2012 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

DENVER 
A defender went untouched, sprinted through an open lane and came crashing into the right leg of Chargers punter Mike Scifres.

Twice in two weeks.

It happened again.

What usually has been a sound special teams unit allowed another blocked punt, this one again coming from the right side, this one again leading to a second-quarter touchdown. Broncos linebacker Nate Irving was the one who broke free in a 30-23 Chargers loss.

Against the Buccaneers last week, safety Corey Lynch made an assignment error on a second-quarter block, which was returned for a touchdown. He was faced with a 2-on-1, and he blocked the outside man instead of the inside.

On Sunday, linebacker Andrew Gachkar took responsibility for the second miscue.

“It was just a miscommunication, talking to one player but not relaying it to another player,” Gachkar said. “It wasn’t like anyone got beat. It was just simple. Just a breakdown. ... It’s sad that we’ve had two breakdowns in two weeks, and I’m at fault. (We) need to pick it up and block for one of the best punters in the league.”

Trainers came to Scifres’ assistance afterward.

He suffered an ankle injury to his kicking leg last week. Like last week, Scifres punted on.

In the third quarter, he hit a 55-yard punt that Chargers safety Darrell Stuckey pinned inside the Broncos’ 2-yard line. It helped set up a safety, as Chargers outside linebacker Shaun Phillips sacked Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning in the end zone on second down.

Stuckey also recovered an onside kick earlier at the start of the second half.

O-line injuries

Tyronne Green stood on the sideline.

A limping Louis Vasquez joined him soon enough.

The Chargers’ offensive line lost its two starting guards in the second quarter, part of a long afternoon for the position group.

Green (hamstring) was out for the game with veteran Rex Hadnot replacing him. Rookie center Dave Molk replaced Vasquez, who returned from an ankle injury after halftime.

Between the crowd noise and a lack of practice reps with the replacements, communication issues arose.

The offensive line was already without left tackle Jared Gaither (groin). Undrafted rookie Michael Harris started for him.

“Molk had never played guard in his life,” center Nick Hardwick said. “Rex came in and did a good job. Harris has been filling in ... and guys are in there, fighting their tails off and doing what they can. That’s really all you can say.”

Rivers was sacked four times against the NFL’s top sack defense. Three led to fumbles, one of which was lost.

Gilchrist active in slot

The Chargers didn’t hesitate to blitz with their defensive backs.

In the first quarter, that led to a touchdown.

Cornerback Marcus Gilchrist rushed from the right slot, put his hands in the air and deflected a Manning pass behind the line of scrimmage. Safety Eric Weddle made the interception, his third of the season, and returned it 23 yards for a score.

“He was trying to find his hot read,” Gilchrist said of Manning. “I just jumped as soon as he threw the ball, and I was able to time it and get a hand on the ball.”

Gilchrist pressured Manning later in the quarter to force an incompletion on third down. He finished with six tackles, including five solo.

Nuts ‘n’ Bolts

• Chargers rookie defensive end Kendall Reyes had the first two sacks of his career, both coming in the second half.

• Jackie Battle started the first two possessions at running back. Ryan Mathews, who missed practice time and was listed as questionable with neck stiffness, followed. Matthews had 15 carries for 47 yards, adding four catches for 36.

• To accompany Green, Quentin Jammer and Vasquez, San Diego reported three other injuries after the game: outside linebacker Larry English (calf), wide receiver Eddie Royal (hamstring) and long snapper Mike Windt. English and Royal exited in the first half and did not return.

• Cornerback Antoine Cason handled punt return duties for Royal. He fair caught two of three punts, returning the other 9 yards.